Australian PM Morrison names Cabinet ministers

Sydney

AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Scott Morrison named his new Cabinet on Sunday, with most positions staying the same, saying the government had "a significant agenda" to deliver and it was time to get back to business.

"I have high expectations of my ministers and clear goals for each of their roles," he said in an emailed statement.

Incoming Defence Minister Linda Reynolds, who served in the Army Reserves for almost three decades and rose to the rank of brigadier, replaces Christopher Pyne who has retired.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne retains her position, along with Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, Trade Minister Simon Birmingham, Energy Minister Angus Taylor and Attorney General Christian Porter.

Mr Morrison also created a national agency for Indigenous Australians which would report directly to new Indigenous Affairs Minister Ken Wyatt, the first Aboriginal Cabinet minister.

Mr Morrison said he intends to recommend Arthur Sinodinos, a senator from the eastern state of New South Wales, for the plum diplomatic post of ambassador to the United States, replacing Joe Hockey.

Communications Minister Mitch Fifield will be Australia's representative at the United Nations.

A priority of the re-elected Liberal National coalition is to deliver tax cuts by July 1, a cornerstone of its election campaign, as the central bank has called for stimulus to aid a slowing economy.

Mr Morrison entered this month's election at the head of a minority government after a series of defections, unable to pursue its legislative agenda without the support of independent lawmakers and minor parties.

A surprise victory, however, secured the coalition an outright majority, removing the legislative uncertainty.

Official counting has not yet finished with three seats still in doubt, but the Electoral Commission said Mr Morrison's coalition leads in an outright majority of 78 seats in parliament which has 151 elected lawmakers.

The opposition Labor Party is expected to win 67 seats and there are six crossbenchers made up of minor parties and independents.

The Cabinet will be sworn in on Wednesday, however parliament will not resume until after all counting is finished and the writs are returned which is expected by June 28. REUTERS